Pat Breen
Question:499. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28177/16]
View answerAgriculture Scheme Payments
Questions (499)
Written answers
The person named submitted his Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint application on 16th May 2016.
During the processing of the application an issue was identified in relation the area of one of land parcels declared. This matter has now been resolved.
Payment under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme will issue shortly, while payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing on 17th October.
TAMS Applications
Questions (500)
Pat Breen
Question:500. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28179/16]
View answerWritten answers
The applicant in question has completed the approved work under the TAMS II Dairy Equipment Scheme, the relevant tax clearance details are on line and it is open to the applicant to submit a claim for payment.
GLAS Payments
Questions (501)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:501. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1561 of 16 September 2016, the reason he did not provide, as requested, the total payments made to date under the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28186/16]
View answerWritten answers
A part-year payment in respect of the final three months of 2015 for certain GLAS actions is due to some 22,000 GLAS tranche 1 applicants. To date, a total of €16,453,507 has issued in respect of payments for the 2015 scheme year.
A first instalment of this 2015 payment, representing up to 85% of the total 2015 payment due, issued to 18,000 applicants in December 2015 to the value of €11,528,700. A further 3,000 applicants received their first instalment of the 2015 scheme year payment in March 2016 which totalled €1,579,300.
The 2015 balancing payments issued to 18,500 applicants in early August 2016, to the value of €3,345,507. My Department is continuing to process outstanding 2015 payments subject to the completion of all the required regulatory checks.
GLAS Issues
Questions (502)
Mattie McGrath
Question:502. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the procedures governing inspection of non-GLAS farms; if he will instruct planners in his Department who are carrying out GLAS commonage management plans to provide adequate notice to non-GLAS shareholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28192/16]
View answerWritten answers
The GLAS scheme includes a measure which provides support for farmers to manage their commonage lands. For commonage farmers who wish to join GLAS, the Scheme requires the development and implementation of a GLAS Commonage Management Plan(CMP) which must be prepared and completed by a trained and qualified Agricultural Advisor. The Advisor is paid by the farmers and is not working for the Department.
It is not within the remit of my Department to define the interaction between Commonage shareholders and the advisors. However in developing CMPs for GLAS participants, advisors should do so in line with the Department's guide for completion of Commonage Management Plans.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Questions (503)
Pat Breen
Question:503. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28216/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 11 May 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
Waste Management
Questions (504)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:504. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the environmental and health impact assessments which have been carried out in relation to human biosolids being used as fertiliser; the regulations in place on the storage and spreading of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28229/16]
View answerWritten answers
The use of municipal sludge in agriculture is regulated by S.I. No. 148/1998 - Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations, 1998 as amended by S.I. No. 267/2001 - Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations, 2001.
Responsibility for these regulations lies with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Issues concerning the assessment of environmental and health impacts in relation to human biosolids used as fertiliser should be addressed to that Department.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments
Questions (505)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:505. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the areas of natural constraint scheme for 2016 to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment and the details of issues affecting the issuing of this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 4 May 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
Basic Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (506)
Timmy Dooley
Question:506. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a 2015 basic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 17 April 2015. During processing of this application issues arose regarding the lands declared by the person named and the matter is currently under review. An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named to clarify the current position.
Forestry Grants
Questions (507)
Martin Kenny
Question:507. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons or companies, and the associated amount of income or gains in increments of €5,000, in receipt of grant aid related to the ownership of woodlands and all woodland activity from 2009 and 2015 in tabular form and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28274/16]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is not yet available but is currently being compiled. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (508)
Timmy Dooley
Question:508. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive 2015 and 2016 disadvantaged area scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28278/16]
View answerWritten answers
Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising. This work is being carried out for all counties, rather than on a county by county basis.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
Milk Prices
Questions (509)
Michael Collins
Question:509. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will issue a suggestion to all co-ops nationwide to pass on the recent increase in global dairy prices to dairy farmers and to ensure that this is reflected immediately in the prices paid for milk by co-ops; and his views in this regard. [28282/16]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine I can have no role in setting the price of milk or any other commodity. The price paid by individual co-ops is solely a matter for their boards.
Farmers Indebtedness
Questions (510)
Michael Collins
Question:510. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request all co-ops to have more forbearance with farmers - dairy, suckler, beef and tillage - in their current plight caused by poor prices, bad weather and other circumstances outside their control; if he will request the co-ops to allow for more flexibility in their billing system in line with farmers income times; and his views in this regard. [28283/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware of the cashflow pressures on farmers at the current time and have discussed these issues in some detail with all levels in the sector from farmers to co-ops and banks at both the Beef Forum and the Dairy Forum. I will be having the same discussion at the upcoming Tillage Forum which I am hosting. I am also in regular contact with the banks, co-ops and others about the development of lending products for farmers that are better adapted to the volatile global markets in which we operate.
However the approach of individual co-ops as to how they engage with their suppliers is a matter for the Board of that co-op and I can have no role in their decision-making process. I would, however, expect farmer members of co-op boards to be sensitive to the needs of suppliers at present, with due regard to the exigencies of the co-op business.
The banks and co-ops have previously assured me that they are sensitive to the temporary pressures on farmers and will be flexible in their dealings with them. Banks have stressed the need for early engagement from those who see early financial pressure.
In response to the need for greater access to credit, my Department has also just procured an ex-ante assessment to assess any current failures in the access to finance market in Ireland. This is a first step towards the potential introduction of ‘Financial Instruments’ under the ‘EAFRD Rural Development Programme’ and the ‘EMFF Seafood Development Operational Programme’.
I am currently engaged with all the financial institutions, particularly the SBCI, to identify potential solutions to providing working capital finance for farmers with liquidity issues and expect to be making more announcements on this in the near future.
Commonage Land Use
Questions (511)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:511. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonages under GLAS 1 and 2 that have no planner approved to complete a commonage management plan, by county in tabular form; the total number of commonages under GLAS 1 and 2 that have been approved a planner to complete a commonage management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28294/16]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is not readily available but will be collated and forwarded directly to the Deputy.
GLAS Data
Questions (512)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:512. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonage farmers by county, in tabular form; the total number of commonage farmers who have applied to GLAS 1 and 2; the total number of commonage farmers that have had their applications processed by county; the total number of commonage farmers by county that have received and not received GLAS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28295/16]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is not readily available but will be collated and forwarded directly to the Deputy.
Commonage Management Plans
Questions (513)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:513. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonage farmers who have completed a commonage management plan, CMP, by county in tabular form; the total number of commonage farmers who have not completed a CMP; the total amount of commonage farmers who have received GLAS payments to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28296/16]
View answerWritten answers
An analysis of the number of Commonage Management Plans (CMPs) completed is not yet available, this work is ongoing and the completion of final CMPs will require the inclusion of potential new GLAS applicants with Commonage lands who will join the third tranche of the scheme which will be launched later this year.
In respect of 2016 GLAS payments and to facilitate the completion of final CMPs I have recently announced that for GLAS 1 and 2 applicants with commonage lands that an interim CMP will be used to support their 2016 GLAS payment.
The final CMPs must be submitted by end of June 2017 on the online CMP system which will rolled out by my Department in the near future.
GLAS Payments
Questions (514)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:514. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to facilitate all commonage farmers who wish to submit an application to GLAS by the extended deadline considering planners have encountered difficulties logging into the online system or completing commonage management plans as mandatory under the scheme; if he will ensure that no delay to payments will occur considering the issues being encountered are beyond the control of commonage farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28297/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is putting arrangements in place to provide for the submission of interim GLAS Commonage Management Plans (CMPs) by the end of October 2016. This interim solution will provide for the inclusion of all GLAS participants in final CMPs, in particular, allowing new GLAS Tranche 3 applicants with commonage lands to be included on CMPs.
The Department’s online Commonage Management Plan system will be rolled out in the near future to allow planners to record the work they have already completed on CMPs. The submission of final CMPs on the online system, which will include all GLAS participants, will be required by June 2017 and this approach will ensure that the final CMPs will be comprehensive providing a valuable framework to maximise the enhancement of the environmental benefits of these lands.
The submission of complete interim CMPs will ensure that 2016 payments can issue to all eligible GLAS participants, including those with Commonage actions, at the same time later this year.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (515)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:515. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has decided to roll over the current genomics tag contract with the existing supplier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28298/16]
View answerWritten answers
The procurement of suitable genomic tags under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme is a matter for the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). I understand that they conducted a public procurement tender for the provision of these tags in 2015 and within the tender there was an option to extend the contract. The ICBF has availed of this extension for a one year period with effect from July 2016.
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine have no role in the procurement of this tag contract.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data
Questions (516)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:516. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers participating in the areas of natural constraint scheme per county, in tabular form on an annual basis over the 2014 to 2016 period; the total annual budget allocation for the scheme in this period; the total amount of funds expended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28299/16]
View answerWritten answers
The allocated budgets under ANC/DAS scheme for years 2016, 2015 and 2014 were €202m, €195m and €195m respectively. A supplementary amount of €7m was secured for the 2015 budget bringing same to €202m. The 2014 and 2015 budgets were fully expended.
The county statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the tables.
2016 - To date
|
County |
Total No. Eligible Applicants |
Paid |
Gross Amount |
|
Carlow |
725 |
537 |
€1,151,400 |
|
Cavan |
4682 |
3892 |
€8,153,355 |
|
Clare |
5902 |
4819 |
€11,075,739 |
|
Cork |
6943 |
5579 |
€13,030,322 |
|
Donegal |
8491 |
6009 |
€13,595,773 |
|
Dublin |
149 |
110 |
€227,749 |
|
Galway |
11704 |
8929 |
€18,977,964 |
|
Kerry |
7496 |
5537 |
€13,404,450 |
|
Kildare |
516 |
412 |
€771,118 |
|
Kilkenny |
1712 |
1327 |
€2,833,408 |
|
Laois |
1656 |
1358 |
€2,753,489 |
|
Leitrim |
3374 |
2625 |
€5,781,674 |
|
Limerick |
2849 |
2316 |
€4,618,824 |
|
Longford |
2302 |
1830 |
€3,885,640 |
|
Louth |
767 |
584 |
€1,019,816 |
|
Mayo |
11250 |
8243 |
€17,351,538 |
|
Meath |
1305 |
1011 |
€1,847,428 |
|
Monaghan |
3928 |
3172 |
€6,158,082 |
|
Offaly |
2352 |
1872 |
€3,690,483 |
|
Roscommon |
5509 |
4316 |
€9,215,612 |
|
Sligo |
3866 |
3107 |
€6,599,571 |
|
Tipperary |
4387 |
3379 |
€7,191,139 |
|
Waterford |
1402 |
1111 |
€2,426,208 |
|
Westmeath |
2575 |
2068 |
€4,011,893 |
|
Wexford |
1468 |
1057 |
€1,981,196 |
|
Wicklow |
1767 |
1283 |
€3,071,040 |
|
TOTAL |
99077 |
76483 |
€164,824,908 |
2015
|
County |
Total No. Eligible Applicants |
Paid |
Gross Amount |
|
Carlow |
764 |
701 |
€1,469,913 |
|
Cavan |
4896 |
4654 |
€9,451,515 |
|
Clare |
6147 |
5850 |
€13,115,340 |
|
Cork |
7162 |
6718 |
€15,451,804 |
|
Donegal |
8706 |
7913 |
€18,231,350 |
|
Dublin |
152 |
128 |
€272,137 |
|
Galway |
12118 |
11370 |
€24,074,313 |
|
Kerry |
7783 |
7270 |
€17,196,100 |
|
Kildare |
531 |
481 |
€896,806 |
|
Kilkenny |
1790 |
1640 |
€3,453,609 |
|
Laois |
1736 |
1600 |
€3,165,814 |
|
Leitrim |
3536 |
3308 |
€7,188,952 |
|
Limerick |
2977 |
2779 |
€5,385,791 |
|
Longford |
2405 |
2262 |
€4,635,832 |
|
Louth |
806 |
714 |
€1,221,616 |
|
Mayo |
11650 |
10908 |
€22,980,550 |
|
Meath |
1361 |
1264 |
€2,245,875 |
|
Monaghan |
4143 |
3912 |
€7,319,115 |
|
Offaly |
2446 |
2269 |
€4,372,301 |
|
Roscommon |
5801 |
5423 |
€11,280,192 |
|
Sligo |
4072 |
3810 |
€7,928,056 |
|
Tipperary |
4569 |
4265 |
€8,942,626 |
|
Waterford |
1453 |
1336 |
€2,861,589 |
|
Westmeath |
2703 |
2526 |
€4,828,882 |
|
Wexford |
1511 |
1334 |
€2,475,418 |
|
Wicklow |
1846 |
1671 |
€3,945,919 |
|
TOTAL |
103064 |
96106 |
€204,391,414 |
2014
|
County |
Total No. Eligible Applicants |
Paid |
Gross Amount |
|
Carlow |
729 |
704 |
€1,375,471.59 |
|
Cavan |
4,709 |
4,599 |
€9,410,726.75 |
|
Clare |
5,980 |
5,813 |
€13,069,314.74 |
|
Cork |
6,882 |
6,647 |
€14,573,432.05 |
|
Donegal |
8,295 |
7,878 |
€17,986,547.39 |
|
Dublin |
135 |
124 |
€260,312.07 |
|
Galway |
11,789 |
11,308 |
€23,412,663.18 |
|
Kerry |
7,486 |
7,222 |
€17,089,788.30 |
|
Kildare |
509 |
477 |
€796,256.20 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,715 |
1,654 |
€3,258,818.58 |
|
Laois |
1,656 |
1,590 |
€2,970,449.66 |
|
Leitrim |
3,373 |
3,258 |
€7,076,433.75 |
|
Limerick |
2,815 |
2,726 |
€5,020,084.30 |
|
Longford |
2,324 |
2,268 |
€4,665,456.88 |
|
Louth |
714 |
680 |
€1,091,375.87 |
|
Mayo |
11,326 |
10,851 |
€22,580,033.15 |
|
Meath |
1,280 |
1,245 |
€2,123,128.53 |
|
Monaghan |
3,986 |
3,900 |
€7,293,835.93 |
|
Offaly |
2,308 |
2,237 |
€4,165,514.00 |
|
Roscommon |
5,605 |
5,427 |
€11,282,393.08 |
|
Sligo |
3,926 |
3,793 |
€7,860,837.21 |
|
Tipperary |
4,332 |
4,191 |
€8,431,813.85 |
|
Waterford |
1,368 |
1,311 |
€2,558,013.33 |
|
Westmeath |
2,563 |
2,481 |
€4,665,450.11 |
|
Wexford |
1,352 |
1,286 |
€2,226,482.03 |
|
Wicklow |
1,690 |
1,612 |
€3,780,619.94 |
|
TOTAL |
98,847 |
95,282 |
€199,025,252.47 |
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
Questions (517)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:517. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of technical work carried out to date by his Department with respect to designating eligible areas under the areas of natural constraint scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28300/16]
View answerWritten answers
Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
Questions (518)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:518. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the counties that have had technical work carried out to date by his Department with respect to designating eligible areas under the areas of natural constraint scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28301/16]
View answerWritten answers
Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising. This work is being carried out for all counties, rather than on a county by county basis.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
Questions (519)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:519. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the existing areas that are currently designated as an eligible area under the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018 that have been identified as being ineligible following technical mapping work carried out to date by his Department, by county in tabular form; the number of farmers currently enrolled in the ANC sheme who have been provisionally observed as having ineligible areas under the new criteria following mapping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28302/16]
View answerWritten answers
Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
Milk Supply
Questions (520)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:520. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers who have applied to the EU voluntary milk reduction scheme by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28303/16]
View answerWritten answers
The table sets out the number of applications by county for the Voluntary Supply Management Scheme in the Dairy Sector.
|
County |
Number of applications |
|
Carlow |
16 |
|
Cavan |
175 |
|
Clare |
227 |
|
Cork |
1153 |
|
Donegal |
65 |
|
Dublin |
13 |
|
Galway |
134 |
|
Kerry |
711 |
|
Kildare |
26 |
|
Kilkenny |
110 |
|
Laois |
65 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
|
Limerick |
494 |
|
Longford |
36 |
|
Louth |
29 |
|
Mayo |
93 |
|
Meath |
105 |
|
Monaghan |
203 |
|
Offaly |
63 |
|
Roscommon |
39 |
|
Sligo |
58 |
|
Tipperary |
329 |
|
Waterford |
118 |
|
Westmeath |
33 |
Horse Racing Ireland
Questions (521)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:521. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself that all State body guidelines were fulfilled and full transparency observed in all aspects of the reappointment of Horse Racing Ireland's CEO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28304/16]
View answerWritten answers
Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the board of HRI, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers.
In this instance both I and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform accepted the case made by the Chairman and provided the necessary consents for an appointment by the Board. This was an exception to the Guidelines for the appointment of CEO's for State Agencies, based on the proposition that the reappointment of the CEO in this instance was in the best interests of HRI and the sector generally, given the significant challenges it faced in the coming years.
I have already indicated that it would have been more appropriate for the board to have had a full discussion on the case made by the chairman prior to its submission. I understand that the chairman accepts this. I further understand that the board has issued a statement confirming that the chairman’s actions and intentions reflected its views regarding the CEO’s contract, but recognising that a more collegiate approach would have improved the process.
I understand the Board approved the appointment on 21st July for a period of five years.
Animal Welfare
Questions (522)
Michael McGrath
Question:522. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to strengthen the law to tackle abuses to animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28311/16]
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Incidents of animal cruelty are totally unacceptable and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has modernised the legal framework relating to the welfare of animals. Sections 11 and 12 of the Act 2013, which contain the main principles relating to the welfare of animals and cruelty to animals, provide that a person having an animal in his or her possession or control must safeguard and not threaten the health and welfare of the animal. In addition, it is an offence for a person to cause unnecessary suffering, endanger, neglect or be reckless regarding the health or welfare of any animal.
In order to ensure its effectiveness, the Act provides for increased levels of penalties for offences committed under the Act. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty has been increased from €100,000 to €250,000, with a maximum custodial sentence of five years imprisonment. Section 58 of the Act also provides that a person convicted of an offence under the Act may be disqualified from keeping, owning or working with an animal. These penalties are in keeping with Irish jurisprudence and therefore I do not envisage further changes.
However, my Department will continue to assess court outcomes in cruelty cases and will take account of these in any future review of the Act.